The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-03-23

sum mer Of 1920. Upon the petition for the
Lodge were the names Of many men, then
and afterwards, prominent In the counsels OF
the State.
Mr.. Day then sketched briefly the brilliant
history Of the Grand Lodge Of Maine which
mas lived and grown strong through periods
OF depression, as well as eras Of progress
and success. The Grand Masters speech
concluded with few earnest words Of con.
graduation TO Portland Lodge
- ne Grand Chapter Of uaiae The story Of
building to the Most High Cod a temple 10 be.
come the repository OF our secrets and for His
worship, May our Grand Chapter, BY lis teach
mgs, bring TO light ana make manifest that pros
perity aud happiness are sure attendants Of per
seV rance and Justice and, BY the light OF its
known.
DIR. Sleeper Of Sabattis, Past Grand High
Priest, responded with a short and witty
speech. He referred appropriately to the
Grand Chapter which today embraces AZ
chapters and over 1900 members. States
men, warriors and judges, as well as citi-
zens Of less distinction. have received the
valuable teachings Of the Grand Chapter
During the dark days of anti-Masonry, the
faithful few preserved the order so that to-
day in the brighter era Of the history Of the
Grand Chapter all its valuable truths are
preserved. DR.. Sleeper's remarks were
received with great applause.
The Grand Council oT Matne-S0metimes a
pone Oh contention as to It's proper place In the
podles OF free Masonry, but It's membership ever
prepared 10 offer treasures 20 the adOrnment OF
the temple and to cause them 10 be deposited In
59sd dhat secret vault, where prying eyes may not
uscOVeri thus giving them clear knowledge Of
cur mysteries and preparing them for that happy
event, when there shall be "musie all the tlme,b
tOgether with Joy and happiness.
Being unable to be present, Mr. ii. II.
Burbank Of Saeo, who was to have spoken,
sent an appropriate letter of response which
was read by the toastmaster.
The Grand consnandery Of Maine-The orna-
as divine attribute and the foundation Of every
virtue closely connected with the lodge since
one one 70 be admitted must be found well-learned m
that first lesson OF Free MasOnry-tO be a good
man aud true. May the Grand Commandery BY
rs edets instil INTO the minds OF the fraternity
doing, and Of not forgetting those sublime auaii-
Ties OF Justice, F0rtitude and Mercy.
Grand Commander j. o. Shaw, Of Bath,
was also unable to be present and according
ly RESPONDED by letter. In his letter, Mr..
Shaw fttingly referred to the growth Of Port
land Lodge and the Grand Commandeiy.
The A1etent and Accepted Rite-Our sister rite
descended from the same place, the temple Of the
natural law with the same object in view, the re-
union OF all men In the sanctuary Of glorious and
happy brotherhood. May the same brotherly
love which now exists continue, and may no emu
latiOn arise except that emulation or rather con
tentiOn Of how man can best be brought from his
the heavens.
Hon. M. f. King, Deputy for Maine, who
responded, said that the requirement in the
charter of Portland Lodge that its members
should meet and dine together once In each
year, was formerly a requirement OF every
lodge OF Master Masons. This custom was
generally observed until the dark days Of
Masonry, and Mr.. King regretted that 1t was
not in force today. The speaker then men
toned the first Maine men to receive degrees
of the Ancient Scottish Rite, and traced the
history and growth Of the Rite in this State
until the present tina The present men,
bership Of the order in Maine Is 800 fAlr.
King was loudly applauded.l
Masonry Of the Past
20 there are Voices Of the Past
Links OF broken chain,
Which cannot come again
Yet God forbid that SHOULD lose
The echoes that remani"
Hon. j. II. Drummond responded to this
toast and retained the closest attention Of
his hearers during his remarks. His speech
follows: ~s--
THE PAST OF MASONRY.
Mr.. Drummond said that the early history
OF Portland Lodge Is also the history Of Ma
sonry In Maine. The first record OF Mason
~ in Portland Is found in the year 1852, when
Capt. Alexander Ross obtained a charter
frnnn fht4 ~ Iohuta proufuafol -.
Of Free MasOns at Boston. This charter
was dated March 90 1862, and was signed BY
Rob jenkins, ID. G. NJ. John Box, S. G.. W.;
Robert William, j. G. W.. and Edmund
issued by Jeremiah Gridley, Grand Master of
the Ancient and Honorable Society Of Free
and Accepted MasOns in North America"
by its provisions, Capt. Alexander Ross was
appointed the first Worshipful Master, and
authorized to gather the brethren into a
lodge, and transact all necessary business
Capt. Ross was native Of StrOma, Scot
land, and was born Oct. 10, 1900. He came
TO this country from Scotland some time
about 1744, but did not bring his family until
NOV. rs, lio5. lie was merchant. and own
ed several large ships engaged In shipping
masts and lumber 10 England and Scotland.
he did large business and was the wealth.
est merchant Of the town Of Falmouth in his
day. He received his Masonic degrees In
the First Lodge" Boston, now known as
I
the corner Of Middle and Franklin streets,
| which stood exactly In the centre Of the
present Franklin street. IL Is recorded Of
him, that "his business being great, and his
iniirmities greater, prevented his opening a
lodge" No record exists indicating this
first charter was ever acted upon, or that any
effort was made 70 carry out its provisions or
gather a lodge. Capt Ross died from can
conferred by the charter. But the brethren
were not disposed to let the movement for
lodge IN Falmouth die out for the want OF
effort, and In December, 1868, petition was
agreed upon and forwarded to the Provin-
cial Grand Master at Boston. Under the
charter thus granted, the first Masonic lodge
in Maine was opened May Sth, 1863.
The lodge was opened. the charter read, and
William Tying declared worshipful master in
due form. Thomas Oxnard was appointed
senior warden, and John Greenwood junior
warden. There were also present, beside
the master and wardens, Eros Jedediah
Preble, John Lowther, William Campbell,
John Ross and Abraham OsgOod, an entered
which read read rather euri0usly in the light
OF the modern Masonic practice; among 9TH
or Important matters to the LODGE that
strangers visiting the lodge should be admit
ted free the first time, but thereafter should
pay shillings, lawful money; not a town
dweller or inhabitant shall pay shiliings law
full money tach night" IL Is also provided
that every brother that, after the closing OF
the lodge, shall continue In lodge room, and
| be guilty OF or accessory 10 any quarrels,
| fighting, swearing, abuse or opprobrious
| language, or any obscene behavior, so that
the society may by their means be censured
| or reflected on, and consequently liable to
| aspersiOns and contempt Of the world, on a
| proper remOnstrance, for the first offence he
| shall receive public admontiOn from the
master the first lodge night he appears,
| which shall be registered by the secretary
| for the second offence he shall pay 81 1Os,
lawful money for the use Of the lodge, or be
excluded being a member; and for the third
| offence shall be forever excluded from the
| lodge elthZr as q member or visitor" "TO
| promote harmony in the lodge and preserve
| freedom In balloting," the wardens were re-
| quired TO stand with their backs TO the bal
| lot box while the members voted. The
| members were required to provide them
| selves with aprons at their own expense.
| The first meetings OF Portland Lodge were
held at Daniel llsley's. on or near the Pay
| son farm, Back Cove In Deering, Illsley be-
| ing proposed as a candidate.
From June, 1770 to August, 1775 the
lodges met at the tavern Of Brother Moses
| Shattuck, on the northeast corner Of Middle
and Church streets. In 1863 Arrangement,
were made to celebrate st. John the Evan
gelists Day with sermon and dinner, anC
| Rev. Mr. Wiswell preached the sermon az ST
Panfs. AT that time there were two distinct
/ organizations known as the "fellow crafts
/ lodge and the "MaStprs' lodga - Vhan thf